Games based on box office hits are usually released shortly after the blockbusters themselves, but it appears that James Cameron's Avatar begs to differ, at least when it comes to an Android version of the game.

About ten months after Avatar was released, Gameloft finally had the decency to turn its attention away from the iPhone and towards the other major player in the mobile industry, which is, of course, Google's world-conquering Android.

The game is based on the movie from which it got its namesake (Avatar), offering some of the best 3D graphics we've ever seen in an Android game, alongside some really nice gameplay and sophisticated controls.

Perhaps its biggest downside is the fact that it is not available from the Android Market; instead, Gameloft requires users to download the game from its own servers. Additionally, some phones are being left out of the fun, like the LG Ally and the Motorola Charm (ironic, right?).

On the plus side, it comes as a free download initially, with the $4.99 fee for playing further than the free demo allows being entirely optional. Still, Gameloft, what's wrong with the Market? Don't go complaining about poor sales later if you don't utilize the best available distribution channels.

Comments

John Doe

Sorry but the market ISN'T the best distribution channel. There is a reason why sites like AppBrain exist. Google's market SUCK hard when it comes to finding apps that are interesting. Searching the store is only good for doing exact name searches and browsing is so damn linear. Page after page after page without really any type of filtering options.

Alan

It's also not available for the HTC Desire

Inspektor Gadget

Not available for the Nexus 1 cm6....wth?

OFI

Market really does need some improvements but it would be nice to have the option. For someone like Gameloft really how much does it cost to add the games to the Market?
In great need of some filters though.

Not surprising there's no support for Desire or Nexus. GPU just isn't up to it. Whilst the hardware is so fragmented this sort of thing will only become more common.

Curt

GPU is up to it, it's easy enough to get gameloft yes to run on phones they don't officially support. The problem is not haveing good enough mulittouch for the controls. Though if gameloft supported the zeemote or general bluetooth hid keyboards it would be my less of a issue

deeb215

If other game developers can put their work on the market, so can these asshats Gameloft. They can still offer their titles through their website, but most people prefer the market regardless of the filter problems. The majority of people with androids don't go to extra channels so it's kind of a no brainer here. they could also make an app like appbrain for just their work. Until that day, no thanks Gameloft.

White–Hawk

Maybe the Market isn't perfect, but it is still streets ahead of Gameloft's solution.

I have bought one game from Gameloft, and it was such a hassle to get it purchased and installed, I just haven't been bothered to come back for more. :/